1968 C10 5.3 swap, the easy way.

[mooseknuckles]

very nice.

[Ronald29609]

This retired guy says thanks for this post. I am going to do the same for my 67 Short bed. Since I had not a clue where to begin you can imaging how helpful this is.

[solidaxel]

Thanks for sharing all your information with us, nice work!

Tell me about, the I think you said 4 wires from the relays to the "Truck" where and what are these wires connected too?

What are you using for a speedometer?

[kd360]

Awesome build. I can't wait to start mine after seeing this. I am swapping mine out of an 02 silverado so I am hoping to use most of the factory parts.
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[vannatta20]

68 c10 donut after dyno session - YouTube

LQ4 dyno at 311 hp and 380 tq. The truck intake killed power and wouldnt make anything passed 5100 rpm.
Update.. The truck intakes are fine. The camshaft holds the power way back. Installed a new cam and I have so much more power and so far the gas mileage is the same. Actually got a few mpgs better.

[68GMCCustom]

Originally Posted by vannatta20

LQ4 dyno at 311 hp and 380 tq. The truck intake killed power and wouldnt make anything passed 5100 rpm

not sure that was your problem as lots of guys are making power past that point with the truck intake...could have been your cam.

[vannatta20]

Yea I agree. Im trying to find a stock lq4 dyno graph to compare it. Its either the cam and/ or valve springs.

[68Stepbed]

It's the cam and valvesprings. I didn't read the whole thread. Is the valvetrain all stock stuff?

[vannatta20]

I just put in a 6.0 lq4 with 799 heads with yellow springs.

[68GMCCustom]

ahhh.......cam is stock then. That would be a limiting factor. That said...your dyno numbers are good. Wouldn't think you'd be getting valve float with those springs in the low 5000rpm range but I'm not familiar with their specs.

put a .550 to .600 lift cam in it with duration in 210-220/220-230@.050 range...along with a nice set of .650 lift dual springs and some c-moly p-rods to keep it together and watch it wake up!

[68Stepbed]

Yep, a TSP sleeper 220 cam with dual springs and hardenend pushrods will wake that baby up to about 380 hp.

[JP238]

Very nice truck!

Where did you get the LED gear indicator?

[vannatta20]

I bought a LED at radio shack and rigged a mount for it.

[JP238]

Just soldered to the factory wire?

[vannatta20]

Gas mileage update! The 6.0 is getting MUCH worse gas mileage than the 5.3. I didnt think it would be a big difference but it sure is. getting like 14mpg . Its been tuned by two of the top tuners in the US as well. I baby it as well. I wish i never put it in. My 5.3 got at least 18 in town. Also I thought i would notice the torque increase around driving around town but its not that huge of a increase.

Update. The factory 6.0 needs a bigger cam in it. I did this and I enjoy the 6.0 now.

[vannatta20]

Originally Posted by JP238

Just soldered to the factory wire?

I just ran it to ignition hot wires behind the dash.

[JP238]

Originally Posted by vannatta20

I just ran it to ignition hot wires behind the dash.

Gives it a nice little touch. I like it.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by vannatta20

I cut the front legs off and welded brackets on i found at a hardware store. Ill post some pics tomorrow. I need to get them recovered and looking at options now. I have cruise switch installed on the orgianal turn signal stalk. Ill post some pics and a how too on that.

I am at that stage now so I am waiting for pic.

[vannatta20]

Did my first autocross run this weekend! Felt strange pushing the ol truck around on the course. Truck held together!

http://youtu.be/LgogK_FevgM

[littlevictories]

thats rad

[BigCountryx]

Looks pretty frisky when you got the chance to put your foot in it and was pretty flat through the twists. Bet it was fun. Nice job.

[vannatta20]

Thanks! For suspension I just have a large sway bar in front with airlift bags inside all 4 coil springs. I was shocked it handle so nice. I was just worried something would break if I pushed it hard. It also has a new cam in it which gave it so much more power.

[ChevyJr]

Subscribed!

[mcmlxix]

I just noticed you're in Vegas... You should come by the weekly car show/meet on Sundays. There are a couple 67/72 trucks that show up, one is a member here and has an LS1 swap.

[bryce1010]

Originally Posted by vannatta20

I left the original wiring under the hood alone and just added the engine harness wiring that came with junyard engine. Its all plug and play. The downside is you have to use the factory fuse box for the LS engine which is bulky and ugly but who cares if its just a daily driver. I am using the factory a/c compressor that came with the engine and hopefully by Monday it will be blowing cold air. Have less than 300$ in the a/c system.

I just found your post. I have a 1971 c10 and thinking about doing the conversion . I can get the engine and transmission and all acc. and harness and computer . all i would need to do is give the fuse box from the donar engine 12v and everything should work. Ware are the speedo and tach taken from?